Daisy and her garlic experience.

Meet Daisy, a Shih Tzu who visited the Emergency Vet Hospital team after she helped herself to 8 dumplings!

Her owners noticed she’d helped herself to 8 dumplings which were full of garlic and onions. They acted promptly and took her to the Emergency Vet Hospital. Throughout her examination garlic was smelt on her breath, leaving little doubt that Daisy had consumed a significant quantity of garlic.

Daisy was a brave girl throughout the ordeal. She was given medication to help her vomit the dumplings back up. This was to help prevent her ingesting the garlic which is highly toxic to both dogs and cats. Thankfully, due to their quick action, she expelled all 8 dumplings almost unchewed.

Garlic and onions cause toxicity in dogs and cats. They can cause a stomach upset and anaemia (low red blood cell count). The anaemia is caused by the destruction of red blood cells which in turn results in the reduced ability of the blood to carry oxygen to the organs that need it. In severe cases, the anaemia may lead to internal organ damage or even death. This toxicity is from the Allium species of plant which includes garlic, onions, leeks, scallions, chives, and shallots.

If you suspect your pet has ingested any of the Allium species, contact your vet straight away. It is not recommended you take a "wait and see" approach. It always pays to call your vet, or after-hours service, even if it’s just to get advice.

If your pet starts to develop any of the following symptoms, contact your vet or after hours immediately:

  • Rapid heart rate and breathing rate

  • Weakness or lethargy

  • Vomiting and diarrhoea

  • Pale gums

  • Red or dark coloured urine

  • Jaundice (seen as yellowing of the gums, skin and white parts of the eyes)

We are so pleased that Daisy had a happy ending to her story. We hope by telling her story it may bring some awareness to how dangerous garlic can be for both dogs and cats. Her lovely owners did an amazing job taking her so promptly to after hours, they will be very cautious from now on to make sure she does not scavenge any human food when they're not looking!

Daisy with her expelled dumplings.